--By Marina Khidekel, BRIDES magazine
Feeling torn? BRIDES magazine will help you decide which guests should-and shouldn't-make the cut.
Do you have to invite...a casual friend who invited you to her wedding two years ago but whom you haven't been in touch with since?
What's a girl to do? Even if you were tight with her a few years back, friends drift apart (it happens to everyone), so you're under no obligation to invite her to the nups. The telltale signal: You think of her as a "casual" friend, not a bestie.
Related: How to Write the Perfect Thank-You Note (for Every Type of Guest)
Do you have to invite...a plus-one for the single friend from out of town who won't know a soul?
What's a girl to do? Make an exception. Seeing her alone at a table while everyone else does a conga line with pals would make you feel pretty awful.
Do you have to invite...guests' children? You'd planned a no-kids policy but are worried that some guests might take offense when they see your niece (the flower girl) and nephew (the ring bearer) running around the reception.
What's a girl to do? Stick to your guns. Since the kids are working the event, how could other guests be mad? Also, parents with little ones are often grateful for a night off from kid duty.
Do you have to invite...all 24 of your adult cousins who reside in your hometown, even though you're close to only five of them?
What's a girl to do? A shared zip code doesn't buy anyone a slot on the guest list, so just invite the ones you feel most connected to. To avoid any hurt feelings, don't talk up the wedding at family gatherings.
See Also: 6 Steps to Planning Like a Party Pro
Do you have to invite...your dad's elderly aunt and uncle, who live across the country and can't easily travel long distances anymore?
What's a girl to do? Send them an invitation as a courtesy, with a note that says something like, "We wanted to share this happy family news with both of you. We'll send photos after the wedding!"
And, finally, the Do-Not-Invite List:
- The boyfriend who broke up with you in a text
- Your dry cleaner
- Anyone who unfriended you on Facebook
- Your shrink
- The woman who does your Brazilian
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